How to pronounce lance
Say it like LANS. Lance is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LANS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LANSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of lance
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: LAHNS.
What does lance mean?
- a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
- an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
- a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade; used for punctures and small incisions
- move quickly, as if by cutting one's way“Planes lanced towards the shore”
- pierce with a lance, as in a knights' fight
- open by piercing with a lancet“lance a boil”
Where does lance come from?
From Middle English launce, from Old French lance, from Latin lancea.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with lance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lance.
Questions about saying lance
How do you pronounce lance?
Say LANS. The American pronunciation is /læns/. In British English it is /lɑːns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lance?
Lance is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: LANS.
Is lance pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /lɑːns/ (LAHNS).